Two Decisions. . .

[Ben Meyers]

Hello my friends.

Tonight, I have made two decisions that I'm going to share with you all.

The first is that I will not be running for President in October.  While I am confident that I could do very well, I believe that I have not yet reached my peak in Atlasia.  I don't have as much experience as I know I will have.  I want to thank everyone who helped me make up my mind.

My second decision is one that saddens me greatly.  I will be leaving the Atlasian Conservative Alliance.  I have been thinking about this for a while, as I have moved toward the left on some issues.  I have registered as an Independent.

The ACA has brought me into the heart of Atlasia.  My friends in the ACA have taught me and helped me so much.  It was the ACA that provided me with the encouragement and assistance to run my first campaign.  I joined it when I was a Newbie, and leave it as nearly a YaBB God. 

All of the people of the ACA have been great to me.  I would like to thank each and every one of you for being there for a new guy with no experience and an over-optimistic attitude when he was trying to acheive the seemingly impossible.

I would like to say a special thank you to a person who will always be my friend, in the same party or not - Keystone Phil.  Phil is responsible for pushing me out into Atlasia.  It was under his encouragement and guidance that I got started in this forum.  He is a great leader of Atlasia, and a really great friend.

From here, I come to a fork in the road.  It's possible that I might join another party.  It's likely that I'll run for another office, possibly Sam's seat, as he is retiring. 

As always, thank you all for listening to what I have to say.

[Max Power]

I'm sad to hear you're not running, Ben.

Anyways, good luck in the future.

[Keystone Phil]

We will miss you, Ben. I'd suggest a Senate run.

[Jake]

We'd be glad to have you in the new Christian Democrat/Populist/Socialist/Peoples/Patriot Party. Your political compass score says you belong with us, don't resist it . Anyway, hopefully you do run for something as you're a great candidate and a good member of the forum.

[Sam Spade]

I think it would be great if you ran for my old Senate seat. 

[Colin]

We'd be glad to have you in the new Christian Democrat/Populist/Socialist/Peoples/Patriot Party. Your political compass score says you belong with us, don't resist it . Anyway, hopefully you do run for something as you're a great candidate and a good member of the forum.

You know you could just call it the Christian Democratic Populist Socialist People's Patriot Party and be done with it. It could be shortened to CDPSPPP.

Anyway its too bad to hear that you will not be running Ben since I believe that you would have been a great candidate. Best of luck to you as one of our best rising stars.

[True Democrat]

Dirty populist bastard!!

[Speed of Sound]

best of luck with whatever your future holds Ben

[DanielX]

Damn... I have to have competition better then NASO, for god's sake!

[Max Power]

Damn... I have to have competition better then NASO, for god's sake!

I can switch parties and run.

[PBrunsel]

"The new guy with the possitive personality", I was once that guy.

Good luck in your expected Senate run Ben, i'm sure you will make a great public servant.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

I am sure I am joined by my fellow Party members in inviting you to join the Union Party and you would be warmly welcomed if you chose to do so.

[Sam Spade]

I am sure I am joined by my fellow Party members in inviting you to join the Union Party and you would be warmly welcomed if you chose to do so.

I totally agree! 

[ThePrezMex]

Yes Ben, you would be an ideal fit for the Union Party! and viceversa.

[Joe Republic]

I'm pleased to hear both these things.  It's a good idea not to run for President at this time, for precisely the reasons you gave.  I know you haven't yet reached your peak here, and I think a successful Senate career is in store for you.  I'd take Sam's advice and run for his seat when he retires.

Also, welcome to the land of independents!